Grace Farrell, 35, reportedly moved to the city from Ireland when she was 17 to attend art school. A former boyfriend said she had been abused by an ex-husband, and turned to alcohol to cope, leaving her art and acting career behind, according to the paper.

"She'd wake up in the morning with the shakes," her old boyfriend, who goes by the name English, told the News. "She had an addiction."

Police are reportedly looking for relatives in the city.

Farrell's body was found in front of St. Brigid's Church on Avenue B, nearly frozen from the brutal winter weather.

Grace Farrell was dead sleeping under scaffolding on Avenue B between 7th and 8th streets on Feb. 20.View Full Caption

DNAinfo/Ben Fractenberg

The NYPD does not suspect any criminality.

The Medical Examiner's office said they are still determining the cause of death.

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